The DVSA Show me, tell me questions test your knowledge on basic car maintenance and safety.
At the start of the practical driving test the show me, tell me questions will begin.
The driving test examiner will ask you two questions, one show me question and one tell me question.
Answer any of these two questions incorrectly and you will gain one driving test fault.
There are 19 different questions.
At the start of the practical driving test the show me, tell me questions will begin.
The driving test examiner will ask you two questions, one show me question and one tell me question.
Answer any of these two questions incorrectly and you will gain one driving test fault.
There are 19 different questions.
1 - Show me by opening the bonnet,
Identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick checking the oil level (on level ground), pull out the dipstick, wipe it on a cloth, re-insert it, and then pull it out once more to check the oil level against the minimum/maximum mark
Identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick checking the oil level (on level ground), pull out the dipstick, wipe it on a cloth, re-insert it, and then pull it out once more to check the oil level against the minimum/maximum mark
2 - Show me /explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
When the engine is off, the steering will be heavy, once the engine is started the steering should become lighter as the system begins to add assistance. If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly.
When the engine is off, the steering will be heavy, once the engine is started the steering should become lighter as the system begins to add assistance. If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly.
3 - Show me by opening the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
Identify the coolant reservoir or radiator filler cap, check the level using the minimum and maximum markings.
Check when the engine is cooled down, do not touch the cap or tank as it may be very hot.
Identify the coolant reservoir or radiator filler cap, check the level using the minimum and maximum markings.
Check when the engine is cooled down, do not touch the cap or tank as it may be very hot.
4 - Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear, make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.
(the button pressed in when applying the handbrake so that you do not hear the clicking noise as this can cause wear)
Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.
(the button pressed in when applying the handbrake so that you do not hear the clicking noise as this can cause wear)
5 - Tell Me where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
Identify washer reservoir and check level between minimum and maximum markings.
(On some cars you can see the level in the reservoir, but on many it may concealed, only the filler neck visible you should open the filler cap and look down for a level or just try topping up the bottle with screenwash/water)
Identify washer reservoir and check level between minimum and maximum markings.
(On some cars you can see the level in the reservoir, but on many it may concealed, only the filler neck visible you should open the filler cap and look down for a level or just try topping up the bottle with screenwash/water)
6 - Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
Turn on the ignition; press the centre of the steering wheel firmly.
Turn on the ignition; press the centre of the steering wheel firmly.
7 - Show me by opening the bonnet,
Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify brake fluid reservoir, check level against minimum and maximum markings.
Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify brake fluid reservoir, check level against minimum and maximum markings.
8 - Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
Switch on the hazard warning switch and walk around the car to check functioning of all indicators.
(There should be 2 indicators on the front, 2 on the rear and 1 on front wing/in wing mirror housing)
Switch on the hazard warning switch and walk around the car to check functioning of all indicators.
(There should be 2 indicators on the front, 2 on the rear and 1 on front wing/in wing mirror housing)
9 - Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car.
(I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine)
Turn the ignition on (DO NOT START THE ENGINE), press the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows etc, or ask someone to help by standing at the rear of the vehicle.
(I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine)
Turn the ignition on (DO NOT START THE ENGINE), press the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows etc, or ask someone to help by standing at the rear of the vehicle.
10 - Tell Me Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Press the brakes, they should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one
side.
Press the brakes, they should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one
side.
11 - Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working.
(No need to exit vehicle)
Turn on the ignition, turn the switch on the indicator stalk, and then walk round vehicle.
(As this is a "Tell Me" question, there is no need to physically check the lights.)
(No need to exit vehicle)
Turn on the ignition, turn the switch on the indicator stalk, and then walk round vehicle.
(As this is a "Tell Me" question, there is no need to physically check the lights.)
12 - Tell Me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre
pressures should be checked.
Look in the owner’s manual, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget
spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
pressures should be checked.
Look in the owner’s manual, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget
spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
13 - Tell Me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition
is safe to use on the road.
Minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth, across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference, with no tears, cuts or bulges.
is safe to use on the road.
Minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth, across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference, with no tears, cuts or bulges.
14 - Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
Turn on the ignition, pull the wiper stalk (right stalk) towards you to wash and wipe windscreen.
Turn on the ignition, pull the wiper stalk (right stalk) towards you to wash and wipe windscreen.
15 - Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both
front and rear screens.
Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Pressing the buttons with what looks like a windscreen and rear screen with 'wavey' lines on it.
(Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration)
front and rear screens.
Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Pressing the buttons with what looks like a windscreen and rear screen with 'wavey' lines on it.
(Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration)
16 - Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them.
Turn on the ignition, using the indicator stalk, turn on dipped headlights then using the inner switch on the stalk turn the front
and rear fog lights, check warning light is on. Only use when visibility is LESS THAN 100 metres.
Turn on the ignition, using the indicator stalk, turn on dipped headlights then using the inner switch on the stalk turn the front
and rear fog lights, check warning light is on. Only use when visibility is LESS THAN 100 metres.
17 - Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the
main beam is on whilst inside the car.
Turn on the ignition, turn the dipped headlights on using the indicator stalk, then pull the stalk towards you till it clicks,
and then check with main beam (blue) warning light.
main beam is on whilst inside the car.
Turn on the ignition, turn the dipped headlights on using the indicator stalk, then pull the stalk towards you till it clicks,
and then check with main beam (blue) warning light.
18 - Tell Me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the
event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of
the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable.
event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of
the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable.
19 - Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.
A warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system
A warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system